SIGNED JACOB GAY POWDER HORN OF JOHN MCKEEN, DATED 1759, EX. GUTHMAN, DUPONT COLLECTIONS.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018

This folk art horn is inscribed: " CAptn IOHN McKEEN" "Jacob gay hand" "July 6 1759" "TEK CAR OF Your HED" (According to Walter, the engraver advises this horn's owner to 'watch his scalp') "Couonoto 1777 (?)" (This inscription is in a different and later hand) The British Coat of Arms is whimsically engraved with Jacob Gay's distinctive and expressive lion. In a panel under the seal, Gay has carved the owner's name with several wonderful faces and designs, illuminating the letters. A panel under the name plate shows a rare depiction of a detailed file of nine soldiers wearing mitre caps. Six of the soldiers are marching or preparing to present arms. The lead group of three soldiers appear to be in the typical British formation and are pictured shooting at a well dressed Indian, who is returning fire from behind a tree. Some other images included on this horn are a large, whimsical four legged animal which appears to be pawing at an unknown bird roosted at the top of a tree, and a stag. A partial border of organic shapes and foliage is present at both ends of the raised part of the horn. There is also a crudely drawn soldier or Indian holding a sword by an unknown hand. Another well detailed image of a mitre capped soldier, who is depicted smoking what appears to be clay pipe and brandishing a longarm is present, and possibly of a different hand. This horn is fitted with a flat, pine butt cap. It is missing its finial and is surrounded by a sawtooth horn border, which protrudes above the cap. The cap is secured by two iron pins. There is a crudely scalloped border at the beginning of the darker, recessed portion of the horn. Below the spout are two rings for a carrying strap. This horn measures 11 inches overall. The horn is signed by its carver, the skilled Jacob Gay. There is a John McKeen who was born April 13, 1714 in Ireland and died October 9, 1793, aged 79 years. He died at Londonderry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire and is buried at the Forest Hill Cemetery East Derry, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. This horn is pictured and described on page 28, plate 22 of John DuMont's book "American Engraved Powder Horns". A similar signed Jacob Gay horn is pictured and described on page 89 of Tom Grinslade's book "Powder Horns". Jacob Gay carved the horn pictured at "CAMbRIDG". Condition: Very Good, as described. This horn displays a beautiful, mellow, honey toned patina. All of the images are intact and discernable, although in some cases a bit worn, as would be expected. The finial, which would have been attached to the plug, is no longer present. There are several areas of damage to the sawtooth border at the butt cap end of the horn. A one inch hairline crack also exists at this location. There is a half inch area of chipping on one of the rings below the spout, as well as other minor abrasions. Half of the spout tip is missing for approximately one inch from the tip. This edges of this breakage have become smooth.